Rovaniemi: Snowshoe Adventure at Vikaköngäs & Barbeque
Description
Explore the Arctic wilderness on foot with a guided snowshoe experience in the Vikaköngäs area, known for its frozen river, forest trails, and natural scenery. Operated by The Original Aurora Hunters®, Arctic GM is a family-run company with roots in Lapland dating back to the 1600s, combining local knowledge with a focus on small-group outdoor experiences. After pickup, you will travel to a quiet forest location away from busy tourist areas. Snowshoes allow you to walk easily across deep snow while following scenic routes along the river and through the surrounding forest. The pace is relaxed and suitable for beginners, with time to enjoy the surroundings, take photos, and learn about the local environment. During the experience, you will stop to enjoy a traditional Lapland barbecue with hot drinks.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin your experience with pickup in Rovaniemi and transfer to the Vikaköngäs wilderness area, located outside the city. On arrival, you will be provided with snowshoes and receive clear instructions on how to use them. No prior experience is required. You will then set off on a guided walk through forest trails and along the frozen river area. Snowshoes allow you to move easily through deep snow while exploring natural terrain. The walk is at a relaxed pace, with regular stops to enjoy the scenery, take photos, and rest. Your guide will share insights about the local environment, wildlife, and winter conditions during the experience. Midway through the tour, you will stop at a fire site to enjoy a traditional Lapland barbecue with hot drinks. After the walk, return transfer to Rovaniemi. Total duration is approximately 3–4 hours.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
To ensure a smooth journey, we kindly ask you to be in the lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. Our friendly guide will wait for up to 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup time before departing. Thank you for your cooperation!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age requirement: 12 years
Reviews(26)
Arctic nature in all its beauty. A snowshoe excursion through the forest that leads to a viewpoint with a stunning view. Andrew was simply amazing at making sure everyone was comfortable, always keeping the hike fun and interesting! We were so lucky to have him as a guide!
Super fun experience with Andrew! He's amazing. We had so much fun and enjoyed every single step in the snow. He made us experience the Elves' shower ( I will keep the secret) and made the best fire and barbecue to warm us up. He was entertaining and super helpful. Great Andrew!!!
Bruno was a really good guide, and the Tour was very beautyful. Would do again. Also beware of the cold and sudden snowfalls.
Great experience From start to finish the tour was very fun and the surrounding nature was spectacular. Sergio our guide was knowledgeable, very kind and helpful .We could choose our path in freedom and we got lucky with lots of snow.
Super organization, super snowshoe hike in a snowy forest. It was like a fairy tale. Accompanied by two beautiful girls Natalia and Denise who followed and pampered us for the duration of the trip. Not a difficult path but in the end we were happy to sit around the barbecue to savor sausages and chocolate. Good girls, professional and always smiling.
Very bad experience with Arctic GM. About 16 hours before our tour they randomly cancelled it with no explanation. I then had to call them to get additional info - which was still sparse - and it takes up to 15 workdays to get my €200 refund. Very nice to waste people's time on such a short notice. Luckily we could book with a different, more helpful, company and still get our experience. Recommend booking with someone else; there are plenty to choose from.
Dear Guest, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry your tour was cancelled on short notice. The weather and snow conditions changed quickly, making it unsafe to operate. We understand the frustration, but safety must come first. Best regards, Diana The Arctic GM Team
Only the 4 of us on the tour. The guide Alexis was friendly, attentative and knowledgeable. He assisted us with the gear (snowshoes) and also offered additional warm clothing and took as on a easy and challenging route through the forest to a view point and treated us with a traditional baberque afterwards. The tour and company is highly recommended as they are professional from booking stage till the end. They offer a pick up and drop off service directly from your accomodation
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you had such a memorable time on the Wilderness Snowshoes Expedition with Alexis. He’s a fantastic guide, and we’re so glad you appreciated his knowledge, attentiveness, and warm hospitality—from helping with gear to choosing the right route and ending with a traditional barbeque. It means a lot to us that you found the entire experience smooth and professional from start to finish. Our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences is deeply rooted in our history, as one of the owners proudly represents the 20th generation of their family in Lapland, Finland, with roots stretching back to the 1600s. This unique connection to the region allows us to share with you the most authentic and captivating facets of Lapland's rich cultural heritage and untamed beauty. Regards, The Arctic GM Team.
Had the most amazing time with a perfect guide and after 15 minutes a group of wild rendeirs came across. even in the snowstorm the hike was beautiful
Dear Guest, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that even a snowstorm couldn’t dampen your experience — and how lucky to encounter a group of wild reindeer during the hike! Our guides are passionate about making every moment in the Arctic wilderness special, and it's fantastic to know yours helped turn the day into a memorable adventure. Our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences is deeply rooted in our history, as one of the owners proudly represents the 20th generation of their family in Lapland, Finland, with roots stretching back to the 1600s. This unique connection to the region allows us to share with you the most authentic and captivating facets of Lapland's rich cultural heritage and untamed beauty. Regards, The Arctic GM Team
Awesome experience with a great tour guide! Pick up was prompt and the forest we went to was so peaceful and beautiful. We were the only people there! The vista outlook was amazing. The only thing I will say is the hike says easy but our group thought moderate was more appropriate. You have to trek uphill in the snow for at least a mile so be prepared but you will be rewarded with gorgeous views and a fun time!
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We're so glad you enjoyed the peacefulness and beauty of the forest, as well as the stunning vista outlook. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the hike difficulty and will review the description to ensure it more accurately reflects the experience. It's wonderful to hear that despite the more challenging parts of the hike, you were rewarded with amazing views and a memorable time! Our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences is deeply rooted in our history, as one of the owners proudly represents the 20th generation of their family in Lapland, Finland, with roots stretching back to the 1600s. This unique connection to the region allows us to share with you the most authentic and captivating facets of Lapland's rich cultural heritage and untamed beauty. Regards, The Arctic GM Team
It was a very beautiful and unforgettable walk in nature – simply perfect for relaxing. Our guide was Nikita, a great person. He supported us wherever he could and was always helpful. He took good care of us, and hiking with him was truly enjoyable. He was able to tell us a lot about the landscape and the frozen waterfalls. What stood out to me the most was that, from the very beginning, he said: ‘We are a team now. Everyone should look out for each other and be considerate.’ He kept moving to the front and back, talking to each of us. It was a really wonderful experience, and for that, I sincerely thank Nikita!
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing such a kind review of your Guided Wilderness Snowshoes Expedition! We are thrilled to hear that the experience was both beautiful and relaxing, and that Nikita’s guidance made it even more special. His care and attentiveness truly reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences in the wilderness. We are also glad that he was able to share his knowledge of the landscape and frozen waterfalls with you. Your feedback means a lot to us! Our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences is deeply rooted in our history, as one of the owners proudly represents the 20th generation of their family in Lapland, Finland, with roots stretching back to the 1600s. This unique connection to the region allows us to share with you the most authentic and captivating facets of Lapland's rich cultural heritage and untamed beauty. Regards, The Arctic GM Team
